Psalm pilot: Digital applications growing for people of faith

From daily devotionals on your phone to e-books and blogs, people interested in religion can get their information on the go.

Ann Pierceall

When Kay Cameron of Carlinville, Ill., offered her new book of devotionals, “Life with God — 101” as an e-book, she was following the advice of her publisher.

But it makes the book part of a growing trend of electronically delivered religious texts. These days, anything from the Bible to daily devotionals is available online.

Cameron wrote the book with the Rev. Tim Rhodus, the pastor at Carlinville Southern Baptist Church, where she attends. She said the church has started its own Web site, and she wishes she was more computer-savvy.

“I would like to be able to start a Christian blog spot — some of my friends already have — and offer a devotional a day,” she said.

This high school teacher said maybe when she retires she’ll have the time to devote to a blog.
“I have enough material to do that. That would be up to the Lord,” she said.

Cameron would be in good company.

Google the term “daily devotionals,” and more than 330,000 results come up. Add the word Torah, and more than 53,000 results can be had. The addition of the word “Muslim” brings 228,000 results.

Brian Atkinson, director of Web communications for the American Bible Society, said the group’s Web site sees more than 100,000 unique visitors a month.

“What I see online is a hunger for an understanding of the Bible and a desire to engage with it directly,” he said.

The American Bible Society has responded by offering things such as Bible resources and studies, as well as daily readings.

Atkinson said the “enormous usage” of the Internet is in large part because a user can search for information online in a way they can’t anywhere else, even at a library.

“Having the Bible accessible right then and there … it’s how people get their information now,” he said, noting people can even ask questions of their pastor online.

Atkinson said the future of using the Internet to deliver and find devotional messages is wide open. He said that about 10 to 15 years ago, searching the Web was barely an option for most people. And these days it’s not just computers, but any wireless mobile device that can access the Internet.

“We’ll see real growth. The online community has exploded, and people are engaging in acts of communication” from online churches to online Bibles, he said. It makes the Bible and information about Christianity accessible to “everyday Christians and those seeking information about God.”

For someone like Cameron, it’s about getting the message out about how God works in a person’s life every day.

Her book came about after she experienced a brush with serious illness.

“This devotional is of how I myself grew spiritually,” she said. The little vignettes and stories in the book come from her experiences and stories shared by Rhodus.

“It’s how God deals with us every day,” she said.

The book is the first in a series, and can be ordered through the Red Lead Press in either print or e-book formats. Cost for the print version is $11; the e-book is $6.

“The whole idea isn’t to make money. The whole idea is to help people know how God works in our daily lives,” Cameron said.

There’s an app for that

Looking for more online or applications for your mobile phone related to faith? Here are a few you might try.

- Fetch a Prayer: The online service, available at http://prayercentral.net, is designed to help Christians pray better. You can select the prayer category and enter the name of the person or place you want to pray for. You then receive a customized, scripture-based prayer. The site also has daily devotionals, prayer tips and quotes about prayer.

- Boston Catholic TV is now offering a free iPhone/iPod Touch download of the daily Mass, rosary prayers and other programs. Search the iTunes Store for “Catholic TV.” Catholics who don’t have an iPhone or iPod Touch can tune in the channel at CatholicTV.com and iTunes.com.

- Biblica, a company that distributes Bibles and other Scripture materials, has produced a free online resource for the unemployed. “Employing Hope: Rebuilding Life When You’ve Lost Your Job” provides hope and encouragement so job-seekers remain emotionally and spiritually strong. Go online at www.biblica.com/outreach/unemployment.

- People around the world can use Twitter to send prayers for placement in the crevices of Jerusalem’s Western Wall, also known as the Kotel. The faithful believe the Jewish holy site provides a direct line to God. The Kotel, at www.twitter.com/TheKotel, collects 140-character prayers, which are printed and delivered to the wall.